If you’re seeking a warm welcome on the Southern Gold Coast, then look no further than Café All Sorts.
Founded in 2019, to many it’s a second home; a community hub that welcomes its patrons to enjoy a coffee, cake or light meal overlooking one of the Gold Coast’s most famous surf breaks. It’s magic!
Despite having worked in hospitality for many years, it’s owners Chef Katrina Barlow and her business partner Cameron Shields’ first venue, their diverse experience showing in their inclusive approach to both food and service. Katrina spent eight years offshore as chef in an oil and gas facility (‘a captive audience’, as Cameron puts it), while Cameron managed clubs.
They’re both passionate about their café, their friendliness evident from our first meeting, greeting diners by name, giving exceptional service with warmth to patrons.
Their warmth is reinforced by the clean and inviting space, with rustic wood softened by accents of aqua marine and white stressed paint chairs, paintings by local artists featured on the walls. Themed to reflect ocean, sand and driftwood, this is the welcoming ‘beach house’ just off the beach, the venue tells us, where everyone can come, taking time out to relax as they get nourishment for mind and body.
Café All Sorts’ menu caters for ‘all sorts’ of diners, from those wanting traditional to modern, a place to read the paper through to those wanting a chat, solo diners on stools looking out to the beach through to extended groups using the space inside the restaurant or at tables flowing out into the arcade.
Beach trade starts as the sun rises, with the crowd-pleasing medium roast Fonzie Abbott coffee available from 6am. Fresh juices ($8) carry names such as The Antioxidant, Green Envy, Blood & Liver Cleanser, Hangover Detox and Immune Booster, promising a healthy lifestyle.
Breakfast is a bestseller in the café with a great range of dishes. From the ‘brekkie deal’ free-range Bacon, egg and cheese wrap with coffee to Convent eggs, favourites such as Avo smash and açai bowls, the Byron Bay Haloumi rosti stack with veg and two free-range eggs, or the plant-based Sweet potato, red lentil and kale fritters topped with avocado, field mushrooms and cashew cream sauce, there’s something for everyone, including plenty of gluten-free and vegetarian options. Generously sized, the meals carry the flavours of real food.
On weekdays, lunch is a time to relax, with specials such as coffee and cake, a Turkish bread and coffee, a ‘licorice all sorts’ menu with lots of choices covering hungry beachgoers as well as those with smaller appetites.
Always looking out for local fresh produce, Katrina sources from local suppliers. Sustainability is key, the café serving kingfish, snapper, blue-eye cod and marlin from local fishermen as Fish of the Day. From healthy to different, there are all sorts of choices. We’re tucking into a Garlic prawns and smoked chorizo salad as the slow-cooked beef rendang fries catches my eye – a great cold weather option.
Available for catering and functions, monthly themed dinners provide a highlight for locals and staff alike, with BYO an added incentive to come and enjoy a night out overlooking the beach.
As big development borders either side of Kirra Beach, Café All Sorts sits in between in a sweet spot, a friendly neighbourhood hub of a café that makes Kirra residents very lucky indeed.
Drop into Café All Sorts. It may well become your second home!
34 Musgrave Street, Coolangatta 07 5536 9612 Open: Mon – Sun 6am – 3pm
NOTE: Good Food Gold Coast dined as guests of Café All Sorts on one occasion.